Ladies European Tour rookie Rachel Jennings grabs first round lead at Allianz Ladies Slovak Open
Netherland’s Christel Boeljon went on a rampage in the opening round of the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open, but the charge was later arrested by the Rookie Rachel Jennings in the later stages. Jennings emerged as the clubhouse leader at the end of round one
at the Gray Bear Golf Club in Tale’, Slovakia with her first round score of five-under, 67.
The 22-year-old Jennings earned her tour card in December in her first attempt and made her debut in Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco earlier in the season. She moved over to finish tied for 11th at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open, Eighth in Portugal,
and 35th last week in Germany. She is looking for her maiden victory on the tour.
“I’m not getting carried away but it feels good,” said Jennings. “Everything went solid out there and I holed a few putts. I hit 18 greens in regulation and I hit 12 fairways.”
Jennings is getting the extra bit of support from her friend and neighbor Martin Ridley who is accompanying her on the tour. Ridley is a long time caddie of German Caroline Masson and played professional football before becoming a PGA Professional.
“We’re good friends and it’s relaxing to have someone out here who’s a good friend and who’s not actually a competitor,” Jennings said. “I’m just relaxed and loving it. I feel no pressure. I just take every week as a different week and see how I get on.”
The round turned out to be Jennings' career best performance when she pulled in three birdies starting from back nine and forged her lead with two more on the front nine. The young golfer will be getting married to Shirley Golf Club teaching professional,
Chris Thornton, on 2nd September and would be more than pleased to grab her maiden title at the Gray Bear. She is working with Sven Gislander, the Swede professional who caddied for Diana Luna in last week’s German title event.
“He kept on saying to me after every hole, like ’95 now’ and then he’s just told me he’s caddied for 100 holes without a bogey. So just a perfect caddie!” Jennings added.
Four strong players of the tour are in contention for the second spot including Boeljon, Lisa Hall of England, Australian Kristie Smith and Tania Elosegui from Spain, trailing the leader by one shot. Lauren Taylor, the English Amateur Rugby player, who qualified
for the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open two weeks ago, pulled in a stunning eagle at par-three, 5th, that also, using a 4-iron. The 16-year-old hails from Woburn Golf Club and finished her first round with two-over, 74.
Britons Laura Davies, Melissa Reid, Lydia Hall, Rebecca Hudson, Lynn Kenny, Becky Morgan, Elizabeth Bennett, Rachel Bell and Charlie Douglass all finished with an over par score of 74.
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